Three cheers to dry days!

Delhi’s youth are all for dry days. One would imagine that not getting to toast to a national holiday, or tipple up on a festive occasion, might take some of the fun out of it, but that’s not how the youngsters of the Capital think. In a survey conducted by HT City (in the age group of 18-25) — 60% respondents say dry days are warranted!

“I hate to see people getting drunk and misbehaving. It is a day to respect your country and thank those who have fought for their freedom and sacrificed so much for the country,” says designer Vandy Mehra. “There are many other ways to celebrate Independence Day. It’s a day to celebrate our freedom fighters,” says Inuit Sharma, a 20-year-old student of Satyawati College.

But there are some who think otherwise. “There is no need for Independence day to be a dry day. Independence means the ability to judge for yourself, and if somebody wants to go out and drink, he or she should be able to. I find the entire concept very vague,” says designer Anand Bhushan. “I don’t see any sense in this. All of us are aware that people will go and stock their bars a day before. Even we are having a party today, and stocked booze for it in advance,” says Madhulika Singh, 28, sales executive. Inputs by: Pratika Sood and Kripi Jain

What is a dry day?Every excise year, the government of NCT Delhi, notifies the number of dry days in a year. The three national holidays — January 26, October 2 and August 15, are always dry days. On these days, liquor shops are closed and alcohol isn’t sold in restaurants and pubs as well.